Chapter 424 - 424: Apology and Forgiveness

Erick, Elle, and Mr. Carter were still talking in the living room when someone arrived outside the door. Elle stood up immediately because she was certain that the person outside was James. Erick couldn't help himself from following Elle.

The two of them welcomed the visitor outside while Mr. Carter remained seated in the living room. When Elle opened the door, James and Spike greeted her sight.

"Elle…" James mumbled as his eyes lit up upon seeing her. He missed her as he felt like he hadn't seen her for long.

"James!" Elle exclaimed in excitement before hugging him. She couldn't help it. She was just really happy about the good thing that happened today. 

James was the person who helped her in the past two years. She knew the effort James had done for both of them- for her and for Lu. She couldn't contain her happiness and wanted to share it with James.

"Finally, we finally got the antidote that will cure Lu." She mumbled enthusiastically.

James returned her hug with a bright smile on his face. He looked at her helplessly, letting out a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, I know. You already told me that over the phone. That's the reason I am here. Did you forget?" He said, teasing her.

"Of course not! I'm just informing you face to face… because I'm so happy. Thank you, James. Thank you so much for everything. Please send this antidote to Lu immediately." Elle said pleadingly.

"You don't have to tell me twice. I know what to do. And stop thanking me. You already said it to me many times." James said, complaining slightly.

Elle just giggled after she heard that. Then she released James from that hug. Erick had also joined them. Erick and James met each other's gaze. They couldn't hide the awkwardness between them.

This was the first time they faced each other once again after the Welcome Party wherein James had introduced Elle as his fiancee. James knew he had hurt Erick. He knew how painful it was for him thinking that Elle died two years ago. 

James admitted that he was at fault. Erick suffered emotional pain for two years because he hid the truth from him. He was selfish. He thought if Erick and Elle would be separated he could replace Erick in her heart. 

He thought Erick would move on in his life and find a new girl for him. He thought Selena would be able to replace Elle in Erick's heart. He was a fool and stupid to believe that. He underestimated Erick and Elle's love for each other. 

Now, he realized his mistake and accepted the truth. No one could ever replace Erick in Elle's heart nor someone could ever replace Elle in Erick's heart. Their love for each other was very strong that they could conquer even death. That's how he would describe Elle and Erick's love.

"Mr. Arison," Erick was the first one to greet James.

"Chief Lee," James returned his greeting by nodding at him.

Elle darted her gaze back and forth between Erick and James. She didn't know if calling James to come over at Erick's place was a good idea or not. Elle suddenly became anxious.

Then James glanced at Elle with a faint smile before telling her, "Elle, you can talk to Spike about what you need and give him the antidote. He already knows what to do."

Elle just nodded at James's instruction. Then after a few seconds, Elle frowned, asking him "What about you?"

James just gave him a reassuring smile before he averted his gaze to Erick. 

"I want to talk with Chief Lee. May I borrow your husband for a while?" He asked Elle but James was looking at Erick. James already knew that Erick and Elle were already married that's why he said that.

On the other hand, Erick was a little bit surprised. He didn't expect that James would initiate first to have a conversation with him. If James didn't bring it up then Erick would be the one to ask him if they could talk even for a few minutes.

Elle was reluctant to leave the two men alone. She was afraid that they would end up fighting. But thinking about Erick, she knew that Erick was an open-minded and very understanding person. 

So in the end, Elle agreed with James's request. She gave them privacy while inviting Spike inside. She would give him the antidote and discuss what more they needed. Dr. Argus also gave her instruction on where they should send it. Elle would inform Spike about that.

Erick and James just stayed on the balcony. They decided to talk there. At first, the two of them were so quiet, waiting who would speak up first.

James felt guilty for what he had done so he was the one who spoke up first between them.

"Erick… I know I made a terrible sin against you. I have no right to face you like this. I made you suffer all these years because of my selfishness." James said to him, admitting his fault.

Erick didn't say anything. He just let James finished what he wanted to tell. Erick was silently and attentively listening to him. He wanted to hear his explanation personally. 

"I want to apologize for what I did. I hope you can forgive me despite the all pains I caused you for the past two years. I hide the truth from you… because I love her. Because I thought… I could make Elle fall for me. But I was wrong. She never stopped loving you. She persevered every day so that she could come back to you."

"I'm sorry for trying to break you apart. But don't worry. Elle and I had already talked about this. We decided to just stay friends. Please don't forbid me from seeing each other. I will sort out my feelings slowly. You don't have to worry. I won't do the same mistakes. Because of my selfishness, I made Elle cry. I will not repeat it. I just want her to be happy." James was being sincere with Erick.

When James stopped speaking, that was the cue that it was Erick's turn to speak up.

"Yeah. I will not deny the fact that I suffered too much because you hid the truth from me. I always made myself believe that Elle was still alive. That's the only way I could think of so that I would not go crazy. So that I could still continue living." 

"But It won't hurt too much if I learned that she's really alive… that it was true and not just my wishful thinking. Yeah, I should get mad at you for doing that. I know you love her as much as I do."

"But instead of thinking about the negative sides, I want to look at it from the positive sides. You helped Elle. You were the one who saved her. You did everything you could for her to recover. I was thankful and very grateful because of that. Elle was alive… that's what really matters to me."

"So I couldn't hate you. Saving her life, from that reason alone, I could forget what you did to me and... I could forgive you. Yeah… I already forgave you, James."